The COVID-19 pandemic is hitting the global economy hard, with all real estate sectors in the Czech Republic affected to varying degrees. But in the subsequent low interest rate environment, Czech real estate as an asset class should continue to offer superior returns, according to the latest research from Savills.

Savills has entered into a partnership with the owner of Vipol Plaza and has been acting as a sole letting agent for the office complex since early 2020. The property is located near the new section of Warsaw’s second metro line.

According to new data from Savills, Rotterdam is the most attractive port in Europe for logistics investment, coming in ahead of Barcelona, Valencia, Antwerp and Hamburg. Gdańsk, the largest seaport in Poland and one of the key container terminals in the Baltic Sea, may soon become one of the most modern in Europe thanks to Central Port project planned.

In 2019, the Polish warehouse and industrial market witnessed a record supply amid an unwavering occupier demand despite the earlier fears of an economic slowdown, says real estate advisory firm Savills. Demand continues to be driven, among other factors, by e-commerce.

Kraków has nearly doubled its office stock over the last four years, becoming the largest and fastest-growing regional city office market in Poland, according to a new report by Savills.

Savills has been appointed as sole letting agent for office space in the three buildings of Business Garden Wrocław, owned by the ISOC Group. Savills has also been the property manager for the first phase of the project since mid-2019.

The total stock of coworking and flexible office space in Prague reached 75,000 sqm by the end of 2019, as eight new centres opened their doors to take the total number to 59, according to the latest Savills research. Similar growth of the flexible office space sector is expected in 2020, which would take the total stock to almost 100,000 sqm.

Almost 800,000 sqm of office space is currently under construction in Warsaw of which approx. 55% will be delivered in 2020, according to the latest Savills research. The capital city of Poland continues to be a big construction site, mostly due to very strong demand for the office space with its record-high levels recorded in 2019.

Savills has been appointed as sole adviser to M7 Real Estate for the fund’s entire office portfolio. Savills will be responsible for office space leasing and property management. The portfolio comprises a total of approximately 73,500 sqm across seven buildings located in four cities: Warsaw, Krakow, Wroclaw and Katowice.

Savills World Research says that offices in core city markets around the world will be real estate investors’ focus in 2020, but with opportunities scarce and yields at record lows, many will be forced to look elsewhere. Alternative assets, such as student housing, multi-family, co-living and data centres, will therefore become increasingly mainstream. Globally, Savills says that securing income returns will remain the overarching theme for real estate investment in 2020.